How Erik ten Hag transformed a fractured Manchester United

Manchester United FC are once again Cup holders! After six years, the ‘Red Devils’ have finally broken their title drought with their EFL Cup win over the weekend. The team endured many changes during the start of the season, regaining momentum after dropping down to 20th in the league table.

The club's remarkable comeback highlights the crucial role Erik ten Hag plays in the club as they rebuild toward a brighter future in European football.

The atmosphere at the club was fairly poor at the start of the season, with Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo and newly hired coach Erik ten Hag clashing over internal affairs.

The conflict trickled down to the fans, where many began to question the club's ownership due to its poor management in recent years. Erik ten Hag has sidelined himself while protecting players from all the background noise.

All the drama surrounding the club's ownership had to stay off the pitch. What matters to ten Hag and his team is the outcome of a 90-minute game.

Despite the rough start, the ‘Red Devils’ picked themselves up from their bootstraps and charged onward into the season. Manchester United fought its way to an EFL Cup semifinal, facing Nottingham Forest.

On match day, Manchester United dominated the first half and was critical with their finishing, with goals from Casemiro and Rashford. As the giant Wembley scoreboard clicked over to 90 minutes, thousands of Manchester United scarves were raised to the skies in triumph as an old familiar feeling was finally experienced once again!

Eric ten Hag has the feel of a transformative manager, with his air of authority and tactical genius. This trophy means wonders to him and the club, it is a success Manchester United has been craving for almost six years.

It might be early to make a definitive judgment only a couple of months into the job, however, this first trophy alongside his brilliant success against Barcelona in the European League is getting many fans excited!

When looking back at ten Hag’s first couple of days at the Manchester United training grounds, he came to Old Trafford with a plan. Upon losing 4-0 to Brentofrd in United's second league game, the Dutch coach made his team run 13.8km - the same distance by which Brentford had out-run his side during the match the previous day.

The 53-year-old coach joined his players on the run, sending a clear message that the team is a collective concept. When one loses, they all lose, including the manager.

Ten Hag knew he needed a title soon, a victory to rally the locker room behind him. The Dutchman made the League Cup a serious priority and knew if he could get everyone on board with his philosophy, it would be a first major victory.

United and their supporters now increasingly believe ten Hag is their man, the chosen one to take them forward and back into the elite from which they have been lost for much of recent years.

At times, Manchester United seemed like a club out of control, where doubts as to who is in charge and who runs the dressing room. 

After a negative spell with Cristiano Ronaldo and marginalizing club captain Maguire from ten Hag’s starting eleven, the club snapped out of their horrible form.

Erik ten Hag had dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson in the build-up to the EFL Cup final, and the two seem to be getting along just great. After years of poor management and redundant signings, the real signing of this season was Erik ten Hag.